Hi John, in less than three weeks we’ll be celebrating at the National Immigrant Justice Center’s (NIJC) virtual Human Rights Awards! Will you join us? You can register for free at www.immigrantjustice.org/HumanRightsAwards This celebration is one of NIJC's most important events of the year because it provides critical funding for our legal services that change the lives of thousands of immigrants and asylum seekers. During the event, we’ll present an inspiring panel discussion with NIJC clients, Ella, Gabriela, and Samer, moderated by Emmy Award-winning journalist Maria Hinojosa. And importantly, we’ll be honoring human rights champions and leaders in our communities. Meet this year’s Human Rights Awards honorees: | | Jeanne and Joseph Sullivan Award: Johannes Favi Johannes Favi is a Beninese community organizer, leader, and writer. After spending 10 months in immigration detention, Johannes has made it his mission to end detention and provide support to other victims. He has led fundraisers and met with political and community leaders alongside organizations including Interfaith Community for Detained Immigrants, Connect Kankakee, the Midwest Immigration Bond Fund, Chicago University’s Immigrant Rights Clinic, the Sanctuary Diocese Task Force of Chicago, and Detention Watch Network. He lives in Indiana with his three children. | | | | Human Rights Practitioner Award: Sara Ghadiri Sara’s passion and commitment for immigrants’ rights has inspired exponential growth in pro bono service. Over the past year, Sara has led the Chapman and Cutler LLP team in a variety of pro bono matters and with clients coming from around the world. During the COVID pandemic, Sara and a team at Chapman quickly filed a habeas petition for a man detained in immigration detention. Under Sara’s guidance, Chapman is also managing three asylum matters and hosted two remote DACA clinics with corporate partners. Chapman and Cutler LLP named Sara as their first Pro Bono Counsel in early 2021, expanding the firm’s commitment to pro bono service. Sara is a zealous advocate for individual clients, an energetic manager for encouraging other attorneys, and a strategic leader in systemic discussions for pro bono engagement. | | | | Human Rights Corporate Award: Allstate Allstate has been a corporate leader in providing exemplary pro bono services, particularly to NIJC clients. Allstate’s pro bono partnership with NIJC has been instrumental in representing asylum seekers, including winning asylum for five individuals, participating in clinics, and taking on an additional nine asylum cases and 10 DACA clients in the past year. Allstate’s commitment to pro bono work and financial support to non-profit organizations has served as an inspiration to other corporate partners. | | | | Rising Star Award Recipients:
This award recognizes associate or junior-level attorneys who have demonstrated extraordinary commitment to ensuring access to justice for immigrants through pro bono work with NIJC. | | Xenia Chiu, Sidley Austin LLP
Judy He, Haynes and Boone, LLP
Mara Klebaner, White & Case LLP
Luke Maher, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Lea Malewitz, Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP
Emilie O’Toole, McDermott, Will & Emery, LLC
Akash Patel, Hogan Lovells US LLP
P.C. Wang, Sidley Austin LLP
Lizzy Westrope, DLA Piper | | | | RSVP now at www.immigrantjustice.org/HumanRightsAwards to watch all of the fantastic awardees at the virtual Human Rights Awards on June 8th at 5:00 p.m. CT. We look forward to seeing you at the virtual Human Rights Awards! Mayon Yen
Director of Development, National Immigrant Justice Center | | | | | | Thank you to the Premier and Diamond sponsors of the 22nd Annual Human Rights Awards! | |  |  | | | | | | | | |  |
NATIONAL IMMIGRANT JUSTICE CENTER
224 S. Michigan Avenue, Suite 600 | Chicago, Illinois 60604
immigrantjustice.org | | | | | | | | | |
